Africa Trust FC disbands?

Fungayi Munyoro Sports CorrespondentZIFA Eastern Region Division One outfit, The Africa Trust Football Club has disbanded, Post Sport has learnt.

Africa Trust was owned by youthful businessman, Lovemore Mandimutsira, who bankrolled the club through his borehole drilling concern – Zim­babwe Africa Trust. Sources on Wednesday told this publication that the club executive met with contracted players at the end of last season and advised them to look for other clubs.

“He told the players to move on. I don’t see any chances that the club might bounce back.

“He indicated that he was also let down by some referees who failed to handle matches professionally. He said referees were biased, yet he was pumping out a lot of money out of passion. He said he would rather invest his money into other business ventures than in football,” said the source. The Watsomba-based outfit was promoted into the more competitive Eastern Region Division One after winning the 2015 Manicaland Division Two League title.

The club’s manager, Owen Sango, could not divulge more over the development and said that they would have a meeting to map the way forward.

“I cannot say much on what you are saying. We will have a meeting and map the way forward,” he said. Club owner, Lovemore Mandimutsira, dismissed the development and said the season was yet to start.

“Why are you asking me about this as if the soccer season has started? No one knows my plans at the moment. Come back to me when the soccer season starts,” said Mandimutsira. Players who spoke to Post Sport said they were told to look for other clubs.

“We were told that we will not play football this year and we were also told to look for other clubs to play for. I am in the process of securing a deal elsewhere,” said a player.

Another player said: “It was unfortunate that we will not play as The Africa Trust, but we have to move on, though I have not found a club as yet.” ZIFA Eastern Region secretary general, Wisdom Simba, said they were yet to receive official communication from The Africa Trust.

“We are not sure about it. We are just hearing rumours. We have not received any official communication from The Africa Trust,” he said. The Africa Trust Football Club had over the years played a key role of providing sporting entertainment to the Watsomba community in Mutasa District and the external publics.

The technical department was led by head coach, Leonard Jombe who was assisted by John Mandimutsira, while Owen Sango was the team
manager.